With that difference, Rosberg takes an 8-point lead, with 273 points in total compared to Hamilton’s 265. This strategy could have also lost Rosberg the race as Ricciardo pitted and the 28 second gap to Rosberg was reducing drastically.
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The 31-year-old German – despite Red Bull attempting an aggressive three-stop strategy that led to a fascinating crescendo – sealed his inaugural win at Singapore and his first podium finish here since 2008. The Australian fell just short, and that may well have been his last chance to win a race in 2016, but the Red Bull Racing man can be proud of his efforts and after a strong recent run of results he will hopefully have a championship-challenging vehicle at his disposal next year.
His team-mate Nico Rosberg reclaimed the lead by eight points with victory at Marina Bay as Hamilton came third. Horner recognizes it is now likely to take something extraordinary for his team to score another win this season to add to Max Verstappen’s triumph in Spain.
“We have a good vehicle and we’ve got to have a good weekend”, Hamilton told reporters as he looked ahead to the next race in Malaysia.
Speaking after the race, Ricciardo admitted a slight tinge of disappointment not to win, but said he had a good race and wouldn’t leave with any regrets. “As I always say, I’m just happy with the win”. Button gave up the chase for anything meaningful after pitting for a damaged front wing early on left him stranded at the back and going nowhere. “I can’t wait to get home”. For sure, yes, it’s been a good weekend for me.
Lewis Hamilton said it was a “trying weekend” in Singapore but he did everything he could to finish 3rd. He had to retire from a practise race on Friday due to mechanical problems and revealed he faced issues with his brakes during the race. “We have to try and do better in Malaysia, but first we have to focus on getting the start where we’d like it to be”.
“The whole auto was on the edge, it always is in Singapore”.
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“This weekend has been a tricky one for me but I’m just happy to get on the podium and get some points for the team”. With Rosberg forced to brazen it out to the end on old Soft tyres, he crossed the line less than a second ahead of the Red Bull. Wolff highlighted Rosberg’s impressive form, and explained the thought process behind their strategy: “Nico did a ideal job all weekend – after the stunning lap yesterday in qualifying, he managed his race in the most controlled way today, all the way to the final metres”. Well, he’s made life hard for himself the past few races, and the team has surely not made it easy for him too.
